Orlando Area Whole Foods Market® Stores Partner with Salvation Army to Promote Action Against Hunger

By: Tiffani Jett, Public Relations & Marketing Manager

September is Hunger Action Month. In observance, Whole Foods Market® Orlando, Altamonte Springs and Winter Park North and The Salvation Army are partnering to spread awareness of and promote action against hunger in our community by hosting a Hunger Action Month Food Drive. The three Whole Foods Market® locations will be collecting healthy unexpired goods and non-perishable food items from Thursday, August 17 through Thursday, August 31, 2017 to benefit The Salvation Army’s Food Pantry Assistance Program.

Customers are encouraged to purchase one or more healthy food items such as canned vegetables without added salt, canned fruit in juice or light syrup, canned tuna or chicken in water, peanut butter, canned or dried beans, or unsweetened cereal. A collection box will be visible near check-out lanes at each location listed above.

“We established a partnership with Whole Foods Market® to further understanding of the very real problem of food insecurity and elevate the dialogue,” said Major Ted Morris, Area Commander. “If everyone pitches in to donate food we can make a big difference in our community.”

Anyone who is hungry, regardless of their income, can receive food from The Salvation Army’s Food Pantry Assistance Program Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4 PM. Hunger can affect people from all walks of life. Many Americans are one job loss or medical crisis away from food insecurity – but some people, including children and seniors, may be at greater risk of hunger than others. According to FeedingAmerica.org, hunger exists in every county in the US, affecting 48 million Americans including 15 million children.

“We are excited to partner with the Salvation Army on this Hunger Action Month Food Drive,” said Vicky Santamaria, Marketing Field Associate for Whole Foods Market®. “Our stores support local food banks year round, by donating products from the bakery, kitchen and grocery shelves. By inviting our customers to participate in the effort, we can help build awareness of the need for food access in our community.”

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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 96 years in the Orlando Area. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army across the United States each year through a broad array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. Eighty-two cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. To learn more about The Salvation Army of Orlando, visit www.salvationarmyorlando.org, www.facebook.com/salvationarmyorlando/ or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/salarmyorlando.

About Whole Foods Market®
Founded in 1978 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company’s motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, team member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company’s more than 87,000 team members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 19 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2016, the company had sales of more than $15.7 billion and currently has more than 464 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. For more company news and information, please visit media.wfm.com.